The use of herbal medicines by people with cancer: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of cancer patients are estimated to use herbal medicines, but data to substantiate this are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of herbal medicine use among cancer patients in the West Midlands, and determine the characteristics predicting herbal medicine use. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of oncology patients (n=1498) being followed up at a hospital in Coventry was undertaken. Recipients were asked about herbal medicine use since their cancer diagnosis, and the association between sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics and herbal medicine use was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1134 responses were received (75.7%). The prevalence of herbal medicine use was 19.7% (95% CI: 17.4-22.1; n=223). Users were more likely to be affluent, female, and aged under 50 years. Usage increased with time since cancer diagnosis (X(2) for trend=4.63; P=0.031). A validation data set, derived from a survey of oncology patients in Birmingham (n=541) with differing socioeconomic characteristics showed no significant difference in estimated prevalence (16.6%; 95% CI: 11.9-22.2). CONCLUSION: A substantial number of people with cancer are likely to be taking herbal medicines. Understanding the self-medication behaviours of these individuals is essential if health-care professionals are to support treatment adherence and avoid unwanted pharmacological interactions

Are Reports of Psychological Stress Higher in Occupational Studies? A Systematic Review across Occupational and Population Based Studies

This study was funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Drumlin Landscapes

In Ireland, evidence of two main glacial periods exists, the Munsterian (c 300,000–132,000 years ago) and the more recent Midlandian (c 79,000–13,000 years ago). Today, Ireland has a very rich legacy of glacial deposits and landforms which can be widely found across the Irish landscape. Drumlins, one of the most commonly found glacial landform features, are smooth, oval shaped hills consisting mostly of deposited boulder clay or till. In Ireland, as the glacier retreated, the melting ice left large areas across the country, particularly the central plain, covered in boulder clay deposits. Two different types of drumlins occur, rock and till. Till or drift drumlins are comprised of compact, unstratified glacial till or drift. In contrast, rock drumlins are mostly made up of rock core with a concentric covering of drift. Rock drumlins tend to have a slightly better drainage status than till drumlins. In Ireland, around 25,000 drumlins have been recorded by the Geological Survey of Ireland. Drumlins generally occur in swarms and Ireland is home to one of the most extensive drumlin belts in Europe stretching across parts of Northern Ireland from Co. Down into the Republic of Ireland. Drumlins also occur in the Castlebar—Newport—Clew Bay region of West Mayo, in Co. Clare, and in the Bantry Bay area of West Cork. Of the seven major soil associations across the drumlin landscape, four have a gley lead series meaning that these are predominantly water-affected soils. Peats are also prevalent across the drumlin belt, particularly in counties Donegal and Leitrim. Poor natural drainage represents a major limitation to utilisation and while certain soils might benefit from artificial drainage, drumlin slopes present a major limitation in the use of agricultural equipment to carry out such operations